Possible Calgary Flames at 6th: Alberts Smits

Position	Shoots	Height	Weight	Nationality
Defence	Left	6’3″	209lbs	Latvia

Draft Year Production

League	Team	GP	G	A	P	P/GP
Liiga	Jukurit	38	6	7	13	0.34
U20 SM-sarja	Jukurit U20	5	6	4	10	2.00
DEL	EHC Munchen (loan)	5	0	1	1	0.20
Olympics	Latvia	4	0	2	2	0.50

Smits didn’t completely grab the attention of draft watchers until the beginning of the season. Although the production was there in the lower levels, his ability to hold his own against men is what really shot him up the draft boards. Smits certainly proved he was too good for the lower levels when he dominated the U20 level with Jukurit.

Most of the year, Smits spent time with Jukurit in the Liiga. Across 38 games, Smits found the back of the net six times, adding seven assists as well for 13 points. It’s not groundbreaking production, but for an 18-year-old defenceman, it’s pretty good. Near the end of the season, Smits was loaned out to the DEL with EHC Munchen to join them for their final few games and playoff run. Although Smits was only able to put up one assist in their final five games, the playoffs treated him much better as he produced six points in 11 games.

Out of all the top prospects in this draft class, only one had the honour of suiting up for his country at the Olympics this season. That would be Smits, as he took on a sizeable role with Latvia. He was able to assist on two of their goals, which, with all things considered, is pretty impressive.

The appeal of Smits

The defence

In my opinion, there is a lot to like when it comes to Smits. He’s a very toolsy defenceman who brings good talent at both ends of the ice. To start, let’s get the obvious out of the way, which would be what he can do with his 6’3″, 209lbs frame. Smits is terrific at applying pressure on the defensive end. He gets on top of opponents and really limits the space they have to create. Along the boards, Smits uses his body to overwhelm the puck carrier and then tie them into a battle, strip them of the puck, or cause a panic pass.

If Smits is not directly on top of the opponent, he’s using his long reach to threaten a poke check and eliminate open ice. Good timing with his stick checks, Smits can swing the puck away from the player who was just carrying it moments ago. I also think Smits does a good job of holding his defensive position, and it can be incredibly difficult to get around him. His amazing skating ability helps with both these things. He is very strong on his feet, making it extra hard to knock him off balance. The agility of Smits is possibly the best trait. Smooth turns and great edgework make Smits a good bet on exits and retrievals. The edgework also helps him time his pokechecks more efficiently and adds a layer of power to them.

The offence

Depending on who you ask, Smits’ offensive game might be viewed more highly than his defence. I think it makes sense to continue on with his skating and how it impacts the offensive side of the puck. Smits has good speed in his feet, and his smooth agility allows him to be great at moving the puck. He can exit the defensive zone and walk his way through the transition with ease, ready to start the offensive play. Smits also isn’t afraid to hop deeper into the offensive zone, and the power in his stride gives him the opportunity to do so.

Away from the skating, Smits also brings a great skill set on the offensive side. He can whip the puck when passing it, which makes him quite good on the breakout when the pass connects. It also brings more value in the zone when he can hit a player on the other side of the ice with a crisp, powerful feed. His shot is also pretty solid. It has good accuracy and power to it, which can cause it to be a weapon from the blueline, or if Smits is cycling around the zone with his skating. To top it off, he controls the puck well. He doesn’t have super flashy hands, but he combines the strength in his feet with smooth puck movements to get around defenders and create space.

The projection

Smits is another player who I believe has quite a high ceiling. If the tools all pan out, you’re likely looking at an elite defenceman who makes a great impact at both ends of the ice. Although I think a more likely outcome is that Smits is a tier below that. A first-pair calibre defenceman who has control of the game while oozing confidence.

The possible cons of drafting Smits

In terms of conflicting opinions, Smits is one of the prospects who cause the most. I know some people who aren’t very fond of him, and I know some people who absolutely adore him. It mainly comes from concerns with his hockey sense. From my viewings, the issues that come with Smits stem from him being over his head in moments.

He can drive up the board with the puck, but then he skates right into traffic. It puts him in a situation with little opportunity to get out, resulting in a turnover. Other times, he can be a bit too focused on the puck carrier and not notice the man he’s leaving open, which can lead to good opportunities for the opposing team. The final thing is that when he passes the puck, sometimes the power he puts into it can just be too much. It either misses the target or skips his teammate’s stick and flies down the ice.

When those plays happen, it can be frustrating to watch Smits. However, in the games I watched, it never made a consistent huge impact on the game. It could definitely end up being more taxing at the next level, but I have more faith in the positives of his game. I’d rather a player make mistakes out of confidence than pure incompetence.

Should the Flames draft Alberts Smits?

It may not be the most popular take in the Flames fanbase, but I’d be happy if the Flames ended up with Alberts Smits at 6th overall. Is he my first pick at 6th? No, but Smits is a great player with lots of likeable skills. He skates incredibly well, is a constant physical presence, has defensive maturity, and brings a good set of offensive tools.

I understand possible concerns of Smits being the big, smooth-skating, defensive-minded defenceman it feels we see out of Europe every year. I was there at the start of the year, too, but there’s much more of an offensive game in Smits than I thought. With the hockey sense concerns, I can understand it to a degree as well, but I do feel it’s a bit blown out of proportion.

If you draft Smits at 6th overall, he instantly becomes your best left-handed defenceman prospect and a future partner for Zayne Parekh. Smits has the maturity and control on the defensive side that Parekh lacks, and also brings good offensive tools to complement Parekh.

Photo Credit: Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer